The Memphis Grizzlies delivered a commanding and historic performance Thursday night, dismantling the Golden State Warriors 144-93 in what became the largest margin of victory in the NBA this season. Fueled by a franchise-record 27 three-pointers, the Grizzlies showcased their dominance with a balanced offensive attack.
Santi Aldama led the way with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and five made threes, while Jake LaRavia added 19 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 17. Luke Kennard joined Aldama in making five shots from beyond the arc as Memphis shot an impressive 56.3% (27-of-48) from deep. The victory marked Memphis’ 11th win in 13 games, solidifying their hot streak.
The Warriors, meanwhile, endured one of their most forgettable performances in recent memory. Stephen Curry, in a shocking display, was held without a field goal, missing all seven of his shots, including six three-pointers, and finishing with just two points from the free-throw line.
Newly acquired Dennis Schroder also struggled in his debut alongside Curry, scoring only five points on 2-of-12 shooting. Despite Curry recording his 1,500th career steal to join an elite group of players with 24,000 points, 6,000 assists, and 1,500 steals, the milestone was overshadowed by the Warriors’ dismal night.
Memphis set the tone early, building a 69-38 halftime lead by shooting 51% from the field and 12-of-25 from beyond the arc while holding the Warriors to just 23% overall and 7-of-24 on threes. The Grizzlies’ relentless offensive display and stifling defense left the Warriors reeling, and we have to unfortunately grade the latter’s players tonight.
Brandin Podziemski: B+
Stats: 21 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 9-13 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT, -8, 25 MIN
Brandin Podziemski was the lone bright spot, providing offensive spark with 21 points on efficient shooting (9-13 FG) while adding six assists and two steals. Despite the -8 plus-minus, his effort and production stood out on an otherwise bleak night for the Warriors.
Andrew Wiggins: B
Stats: 19 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 6-11 FG, 4-5 3PT, 3-3 FT, -33, 21 MIN
Andrew Wiggins contributed 19 points on solid shooting (6-11 FG, 4-5 3PT) but had minimal impact elsewhere, grabbing only one rebound with zero assists. His -33 plus-minus highlights his struggles defensively and the team’s poor performance, but he had a decent game overall.
Kyle Anderson: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 4-8 FG, 3-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, -6, 20 MIN
Kyle Anderson was efficient offensively (4-8 FG, 3-4 3PT) and contributed three rebounds and three assists. However, his presence defensively was limited, and he finished with a modest -6 plus-minus
Jonathan Kuminga: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 0 PF, 2-12 FG, 0-2 3PT, 7-10 FT, -23, 28 MIN
Jonathan Kuminga’s aggressive play earned him 10 free throws (7-10 FT), but he struggled mightily from the field (2-12 FG). Four turnovers and a -23 plus-minus capped an inconsistent showing from one of the Warriors’ best players, but he wasn’t the worst player on the floor by far.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 3-3 FT, -4, 20 MIN
Trayce Jackson-Davis made the most of his limited touches, finishing with seven points and seven rebounds. His defensive contributions (1 steal, 1 block) were solid, but his overall impact remained modest overall.
Buddy Hield: C
Stats: 9 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 4-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -25, 20 MIN
Buddy Hield had an efficient nine points (4-6 FG) but was quiet otherwise, recording only four rebounds and a -25 plus-minus. His impact fell far short of his usual scoring prowess and the Warriors needed much more from their designated sharpshooter.
Lindy Waters III: C-
Stats: 3 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-6 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, -16, 17 MIN
Waters scored three points on poor shooting (1-6 FG), adding two rebounds and an assist. He struggled to find his rhythm, resulting in a -16 plus-minus, and it was another forgettable performance by another Warriors player tonight.
Dennis Schroder: D
Stats: 5 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 2 PF, 2-12 FG, 0-4 3PT, 1-2 FT, -34, 22 MIN
In his debut, Dennis Schroder shot just 2-12 from the field and committed four turnovers. Despite five assists, his inability to generate offense or protect the ball contributed to his -34 plus-minus. The Warriors expected more from their new player but it wasn’t a great example considering tonight’s performance has to be a one-off.
Kevon Looney: D
Stats: 2 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 1-5 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-2 FT, -23, 12 MIN
Kevon Looney was ineffective offensively (1-5 FG) and managed just four rebounds in 12 minutes. His lack of impact on either end resulted in a -23 plus-minus, and he gets a standard D that a player deserves in a blowout loss.
Stephen Curry: F
Stats: 2 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 0-7 FG, 0-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, -41, 24 MIN
Stephen Curry endured one of the worst games of his career, if not the worst, missing all seven shot attempts and finishing with just two points. His -41 plus-minus epitomized the Warriors’ struggles, as the Grizzlies’ defense rendered him invisible. Not a night to remember by the greatest player in Warriors history.
Draymond Green: F
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 4 PF, 0-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -42, 19 MIN
Draymond Green was completely ineffective, failing to score and turning the ball over four times in 19 minutes. His -42 plus-minus underscored his poor performance on both ends, and the Warriors did not get any production from their vocal leader tonight. Like Stephen Curry, not a performance to remember from a key player.
Gary Payton II: N/A
Stats: 3 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 5 MIN
Gary Payton II played five minutes, scoring three points and adding one rebound. His limited action was inconsequential to the game, and we cannot give him a score for his performance tonight.
Gui Santos: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 8 MIN
Gui Santos played eight minutes, blocking one shot and grabbing a rebound. He did not attempt a field goal and finished with a +4 plus-minus, one of the few positive ratings.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.
